When enough people want it, yes. Until that time, enjoy the ride...Or IS it possible?
The #1 problem in the DR isn't corruption; that's a byproduct of the real issue.
The issue is too many people chasing too few resources.
When enough people want it, yes. Until that time, enjoy the ride...Or IS it possible?
Gotta toss in the strong Roman Catholic ethos in the mix, too.Chicken and egg - prosperity and education = lower birth rate.
See: education.Gotta toss in the strong Roman Catholic ethos in the mix, too.
One can be edumacated and spiritual at the same time (this, coming from a heathen).I was too hasty with the glib comment - Italy and Spain, both strongly Catholic, are among the countries with the lowest birthrates in the world, and I would say that both improved education and prosperity were important factors in bringing about this change - as people are more educated, they are more likely to question some religious teachings.
And although this is bordering on the taboo as far as this site is concerned, it has to be pointed out that the Church has not really been wildly successful in implementing much of its moral ethos in this country.
Whatever 'spiritual' means... yes, and you can be educated and religious at the same time, but the more educated you are, the less likely you are to accept, or be intimidated into accepting, the less practical/more outdated teachings of your religion without question.One can be edumacated and spiritual at the same time (this, coming from a heathen).
Sure - as I said, prosperity definitely plays its part - and prosperity and improved state education went hand in hand anyway.But secular edumacation and religious edumacation are fundamentally different.
Ethos aside, large families (a typical RC situation) beget large families, and feed into the "too many needs chasing too few resources" issue the DR has. Other more mature RC cultures (i.e. Italy and Spain) have figured that out; but they both have a larger resource base.
Up to a point, certainly, but there are other factors involved too. The DR is in many ways still a feudal society - certainly when it comes to the economic and cultural dynamics of patronage.IMO, the political corruption inherent in the DR (and other similar cultures) is created ~because~ of the "too many rats in a cage" scenario. Politicians have to get "theirs" NOW, like a thirsty man gorging himself at a garden hose.
Semi-feudal, that's the case with the entire Third World.Up to a point, certainly, but there are other factors involved too. The DR is in many ways still a feudal society - certainly when it comes to the economic and cultural dynamics of patronage.
You always think in terms of progressing for the sake of others, for the sake of expressing gratitude to your closest family and friends, not solely for yourself or for the benefit of strangers. -NALs
Good points.Sometimes contradictions comes to the surface on both sides and some of that is visible right here on DR1. More often than not, many DR1ers would criticize the Dominican patronage system and yet, almost a the same time, be amazed at the close relationship bonds and genuine interest in people that many Dominicans have. In fact, one of the things I read more often here when expatriates want to explain why they moved to the DR is that their Dominican friends talk about people and life and such, while their friends in their First World country seem to only talk about things and money and progressing materially.
Often times I wonder if anyone else here see the connection between the aspect many expatriates like about the DR (the focus on people) and the aspect they despise of the DR (clientelism, etc).
The fact of the matter is that they are both from the same string and you can't have one without the other.
-NALs
To an extent it is. If the local mayor or governor or whomever is a close friend of the main political figure, then such province or municipality will see great improvements in its infrastructure and general well being. If, however, the local political figure is not well known or too close to the main political figure, well then, he might receive some attention only after the former have been given theirs. If you value your relationships and people more than material things, that's the way you would act; especially when you are morally obligated to not disrupt your relationships lest you want to be excommunicated and considered an outcast of some sort.Would this explain why, when DR politicians appear on the campaign trail, the local populace needs to produce posters begging for infrastructure projects (schools, roads etc)? Begging for things which first world residents would see as their right by virtue of paying their taxes.
Maybe it says something about the sort of people I know in "my First World countries". My experience has been not quite the opposite, but I certainly have been confronted with more crude and unabashed materialism here in the DR than anywhere else. Not my DR friends though, I hasten to add!NALs said:In fact, one of the things I read more often here when expatriates want to explain why they moved to the DR is that their Dominican friends talk about people and life and such, while their friends in their First World country seem to only talk about things and money and progressing materially.
But NALs - there is politics, and there is personal relationships. Politicians are elected to serve everyone, not only their personal network of friends and family. There has to be a balance between serving both, which does not exist in the DR. E.g. there is a fair amount of corruption and nepotism in Spain, but at the same time enough is usually put to the common good for the country to move forward.To an extent it is. If the local mayor or governor or whomever is a close friend of the main political figure, then such province or municipality will see great improvements in its infrastructure and general well being. If, however, the local political figure is not well known or too close to the main political figure, well then, he might receive some attention only after the former have been given theirs. If you value your relationships and people more than material things, that's the way you would act; especially when you are morally obligated to not disrupt your relationships lest you want to be excommunicated and considered an outcast of some sort.
Its simply not polite and immoral to put the needs of any stranger above those of your closest and most trusted family members and friends and even acquaintances. If you do that, you will be excommunicated and without valuable relationships, you are pretty much finished and powerless.
You don't put material things ahead of people. That's true in politics, in personal relationships, in business, in everything. And the word "people" here means those whom you have the greatest trust and gratitude towards.
-NALs
That's your First World view. To everyone without such point of view, they don't see it as leaving people to languish in ignorance and poverty, since everyone has a number of close trusted family members and friends. Hence, the same obligations exist there and their lack of material progress is not only the result of not knowing the right people, but also of not jeopardizing the relationships they do have.You're right, Nals. I find the connection between the focus on people/family ties and the practice of leaving people to languish in ignorance and poverty by tossing a few titbits in their direction at election time a little hard to digest.
That's why the DR is semi-feudal. The other part is modern and well, being modern is all about being secular above all else.Maybe it says something about the sort of people I know in "my First World countries". My experience has been not quite the opposite, but I certainly have been confronted with more crude and unabashed materialism here in the DR than anywhere else. Not my DR friends though, I hasten to add!
If you do that, you will be excommunicated and without valuable relationships, you are pretty much finished and powerless. -NALs